1.
false accusation; unfounded complaint; pretext
an unreasonable accusation or complaint made without proper basis, often to pick a fight or find fault
それは言い掛かりだ。
That's a baseless accusation.
言い掛かりをつけられて困った。
I was troubled by someone picking a fight with me.
酔っ払いに言い掛かりをつけられた。
A drunk person started an argument with me over nothing.
言い掛かり refers to an unreasonable or fabricated accusation, often made as a pretext to start a confrontation or find fault.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 言い掛かりをつける: to make a baseless accusation, to pick a fight
- 言い掛かりをつけられる: to be falsely accused
- 言い掛かりをつけてくる: to come at someone with unfounded complaints
NUANCE:
Always implies the complaint has no legitimate basis — the accuser is either looking for trouble or making excuses. Common in situations involving 酔っ払い (drunks), unreasonable customers, or bullying.
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 因縁をつける: to pick a quarrel (more intimidating)
- 難癖をつける: to find fault, nitpick (persistent criticism)
- 八つ当たりする: to take frustrations out on someone